Mario Theissen has hit back at his F1 team colleagues who are critical of the deployment of KERS technology in 2009.

BMW-Sauber has been named by fellow competitors as the only team that vetoed plans to delay the use of controversial energy-recovery systems next year.

Bernie Ecclestone's mischievous sense of humour has returned in the latest edition of his personalised annual Christmas card.

Last year, the F1 chief executive poked fun at the McLaren-Ferrari spy scandal, depicting a nervous Ron Dennis being handed a gift-wrapped present by former chief designer Mike Coughlan.

As the Honda Motor Company pushes for a buyer, a list of potential saviours of the Brackley based formula one team is becoming ever clearer.

It is already known that Prodrive's David Richards, who ran the Benetton and BAR teams in the past, has travelled to the Middle East for talks with investors.

The eyes of the formula one world have flicked nervously to Toyota, not yet three weeks after fellow struggling Japanese carmaker Honda announced it is withdrawing from the sport.

Toyota, the world's largest automaker, said in a statement on Monday it expected to record its first ever operating loss, to the tune of $1.7 billion in the year through March.

Ongoing negativity about Lewis Hamilton's driving was a major theme in the Shanghai paddock on Thursday.

The McLaren driver, who could win the championship in China this weekend, is to be a leading topic at the drivers' briefing on Friday, as some of his rivals complain about an allegedly brash racing style.

Six points -- that's the points advantage Lewis Hamilton needs from the Chinese grand prix to be crowned world champion with one race to spare in Brazil.

Should the McLaren driver manage to extend his current 5-point championship lead to 11 points in Shanghai, he will be guaranteed the drivers' title from Felipe Massa and Robert Kubica.

Lewis Hamilton is "good for business", but Bernie Ecclestone says he knows why the championship leader is not popular among his peers.

"He is good for business," the 77-year-old F1 chief executive told Auto Motor und Sport. "Out of the car he is a little bit arrogant.

Bernie Ecclestone has called for a single F1 "referee" to issue football-style red and yellow cards.

After the spate of controversial driver penalties this year, the F1 chief executive believes there is room for an improved system.

Bernie Ecclestone on Friday said it is not inconceivable that Canada could win back its spot on the formula one calendar.

The F1 chief executive recently cancelled the Montreal race's contract for 2009 and beyond.

The future looks brighter for Toro Rosso.

Earlier this year, the partly Gerhard Berger-owned squad was in serious trouble, given Red Bull's dithering support and the looming end of the era when using a customer car is allowed.

Flavio Briatore has tipped McLaren's Lewis Hamilton to "throw the title away again".

The Renault boss recalls his astonishment of one year ago, when with a 17-point advantage with two races to go, the then rookie Hamilton ceded the championship to Kimi Raikkonen at the final hurdle.

Force India will keep the same race drivers for the 2009 season, high profile team co-owner Vijay Mallya said on Friday.

"I've made it quite clear I'm happy with Adrian (Sutil) and Giancarlo (Fisichella) and they will continue through 2009," he told reporters in Shanghai.